Is Carat London Worth the Money? I put one of their pieces to the test to find out!
When you’re purchasing an investment piece of jewellery you need to be sure that it ticks all of the boxes. High quality and built to last are two pre-requisites when it comes to investing in a higher end item. Everyone’s priorities differ, but for many people (myself included) higher end jewellery needs to have a sense of timelessness. If I’m investing a few hundred pounds in one item, it needs to be built to last and go with most outfits - especially when I’m travelling as I prefer to only bring one or two items!
This brings me to Carat London. Creators of stunning, sleek and modern designs with a timeless quality, they instantly piqued my interest. The main reason I rarely wear bracelets is that I still have yet to find the one that goes with everything, and I’m not organised enough to bring multiple options when I’m travelling! When Carat London offered me a piece to review, I was intrigued to see if it was worth the price tag.
The Packaging -
Whether it’s a gift for yourself or for a loved one, when you’re purchasing a higher end product the packaging is an important first impression of the product and the brand.
My Carat London bracelet came in an unbranded white jiffy bag (important to note if it’s a gift for someone you live with!!). Inside this was a smaller jiffy bag, and finally a beautifully wrapped box.
Your bracelet will arrive in a white Carat London gift box with a black Carat London ribbon tied around it, into a beautiful bow. If you’re careful enough you can just about take it off without undoing it - I speak from experience!!
Why Is it Called a Tennis Bracelet?
The name "tennis bracelet" refers to a style of simple style of bracelet where each link is identical - while you can find tennis bracelets that don't contain gem stones, they're most often characterised by featuring a simple row of diamonds. Tennis bracelets are dainty pieces that are known for their timeless elegance.
So why is it called a tennis bracelet? There's actually a very interesting story behind the name. Tennis champion Chris Evert arrived to play in the 1987 US Open Tennis Championships wearing a delicate diamond and gold bracelet. While playing the clasp broke and her bracelet fell off. The bracelet was so precious that the match was paused to allow Evert to look for it. According to internet folklore, someone referred to it as "the tennis bracelet" because of the uproar that it caused, and the name has stuck since!
The Details -
I received the Lexi tennis bracelet - a stunning understated and timeless tennis bracelet with some clever design features. Featuring a full band of cubic zirconia stones, this bracelet catches the light at every opportunity.
One of my biggest concerns is the thought of the clasp breaking and the bracelet falling off (this has happened to me before with other bracelets) so I really appreciate the more secure clasp. The bracelet features two drawstrings, also studded with thoughtfully arranged stones, and a pull to adjust the size of the bracelet. This not only makes it more secure but also makes it easier to put on and take off, without having to ask someone for help! Having said that, it does limit the sizing. If you’re plus size or have larger hands, you may have to do some manoeuvring to get it over your hand, but I had plenty of space.
The Craftsmanship -
Upon initial inspection, the Lexi bracelet seems to be beautiful quality and very well made. I was concerned with the drawstring-style clasp was that it would be flimsy and prone to breaking, but I’ve moved it several times and it feels incredibly secure.
Across the bracelet and down onto the clasp, the stones appear to be set slightly further in and are held on all sides. This means that there’s a little less stone to sparkle as the sides of it are slightly covered, but I personally prefer the idea that the extra security this design gives, and the peace of mind that the stones aren’t going to fall out. Both bracelets are Stirling silver, with the gold being a gold vermeil.
The only point to raise on the note of quality is the use of cubic zirconia. Cubic Zirconia isn’t as hard as diamond and it’s not uncommon for the stones to lose some of their sparkle after a few years of consistent wear. This isn’t a problem if you’re purchasing the bracelet to wear on special occasions, but if you plan to get a lot of wear out of your new jewellery then I’d consider shopping the Gentle Diamonds range instead. The Gentle Diamonds range offers lab-grown diamonds, with all of the durability of real diamonds without the questionable ethics.
Final Thoughts -
The Lexi bracelet is beautiful quality and represents great value for the price. The entire bracelet captures the light beautifully and sparkles even on a cloudy day. The thoughtful design of the clasp and addition of extra stones set into the drawstring’s moving parts makes it more secure while still looking luxurious.
Between the bracelet’s quality and timeless design, and the beautiful way it’s packaged, the Lexi bracelet would be the perfect gift to yourself or a loved one.
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